On the 1901census Arthur Bankes was living at Top-y-Fron Hall Connahs Quay Flintshire with his father Thomas 41, a Land Agent and his mother, Amy Charlotte 35. They had 2 children, Arthur Bankes, 2, and Ralph Eldon, 1. Also in the household was Ann Percival 20, Housemaid, Harriet Norris 60, Cook and Margaret Courtney, 20, Nurse.

The census states Thomas Owen was born in Ireland, Amy Charlotte in Northop Flintshire and Arthur Bankes and Ralph Eldon in Admaston Salop.

On the 1911 census Arthur Bankes was a pupil at Hurst Court Cottages Ore Sussex. Also there was his brother Ralph Eldon. Their birthplace on this census is Wellington Salop. It was a private school run by Henry Charles Lenox Tindall, a Clergyman and Private School Master.

On the 1911 census the rest of Arthur Bankes’s family were living at Meadowslea Penyffordd, which could explain why Arthur Bankes is on the Penymynydd Church War Memorial. In the household was Thomas 51. Land Agent, Amy 45. and another child, Miriam Brenna Owen 4. There were also 4 Domestic servants, Alice Griffiths 28, Amy Griffiths 25, Annie Griffiths 22 and Mary Griffiths 18.

Meadowslea later became a T.B. Hospital and Elderly Persons Home. It has now been demolished and new homes built on the land.

On the Commonwealth War Graves certificate Thomas and Amy had moved from Meadowslea to Friar’s Gap Hawarden Deeside.

There are various records on http://home.ancestry.co.uk/ for Arthur, ‘UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919’, ‘Ireland, Casualties of World War 1 1914-1918’ ,’ British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index card 1914-1920’, and (England and Wales National Probate Calendar of Wills and Administration 1858-1966)

His service records are at the National Archive Kew, reference no. WO339/102392

The index cards in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Records Office Hawarden states his address was The Bryn, Nannerch. It also confirms his Rank and Regiment. It also states the period of service was from 4th May – 26th Oct 1918. The card was signed on 3rd October 1919 by his father, Thomas Owen.

Arthur Bankes’s Mother was Amy Charlotte Bankes who was from a prominent family in Soughton near Mold. She was the daughter of John Scott Bankes, a Magistrate and Landowner of Soughton Hall.